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	Just Below The Horizon by Dan A synopsis of the Carpenters' first relatively lackluster year It's all relative when one writes about the most successful duo in pop music history. While all famous recording artists experience a valley in their careers at some point--often several--such tends to be the primary focus of attention. Rarely, however, do any detract from these artists' ultimate longevity. So it was, and is, with the Carpenters. After flying five straight years over solid-gold peaks of popularity, they began a descent from that altitude in 1975. But not in terms of their activity level.       The December 1974 fan club newsletter says, "It appears their long awaited three month vacation has gone down the drain. Demands for bookings have been so heavy, that vacation time has been replaced by concerts." On December 20, "Please Mr. Postman" goes gold. The Carpenters then start working on their next studio album.       By April 1975, their single "Only Yesterday" is gold too. There are also health concerns that month. "Determined to lose weight," one newsletter says, "Karen has melted down to a mere 93 pounds. Exhausted from the demands of taping etc. she spent a short vacation with friends in the Virgin Islands who forced her to relax and rest by denying her the use of the telephone and trade publications. She returned with a lovely tan." Meanwhile, her brother Richard spends time riding his motorcycle. On April 9, he and Karen give a 40th wedding anniversary party for their parents, surprising them with "a new car to replace the one that had been stolen from a shopping center parking lot" and with reserved tickets for a Caribbean cruise.       Although their record sells are lower that year, there is no loss in demand for Carpenters concerts. "The Summer tour was the most extensive & exhausting one they'd ever had," says another newsletter, "dating from April 3 to September 3....Those of you who have had an opportunity to attend a recent Carpenter concert, are no doubt delighted with the new program book. Richard & Karen were finally persuaded that it should contain some of their baby pictures. There are also a few pictures of Mom & Dad, past and present. John Bettis the lyricist is also featured in the book, plus the Carpenter Road family."       All around, it proves to be one of their most taxing years, as the following summary of Carpenters scheduled appearances and other events illustrates:   April 4 Hayes, Kansas, Kansas State 5 Ames, Iowa, Iowa State; Denver, Colorado, Auditorium 7 Colorado Springs, Colorado, Air Force Academy 15 West Palm Beach, Florida, Auditorium 16 Lakeland, Florida, Arena 17 Jacksonville, Florida, Auditorium 18-19 Atlanta, Georgia, Civic Auditorium 20 Columbia, South Carolina, Coliseum 21 Fayetteville, North Carolina, Cumberland County Memorial Arena 22-27 Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Music Theater May 9 Topeka, Kansas, Municipal Auditorium 10-11 Kansas City, Kansas, Memorial Hall 12 Sioux City, Iowa, Municipal Auditorium ("Steve Martin, a relatively new comic, opened the show by playing a 5 string banjo and doing a hilarious comedy act.") 13 Bismarck, North Dakota, Civic Arena 14 Jamestown, North Dakota ("The concert had been sold out in advance. Although the weather was chilly, the audience was warm and receptive, giving a standing ovation.") These remaining May dates are listed under "Aug." in the April newsletter; probably a mistake since August 14-25 already include "a six day breather" and concerts in Las Vegas. 15 Duluth, Minnesota, Arena ("They managed to work in a second show.") 16 Omaha, Nebraska, Civic Auditorium 17 Minneapolis, Minnesota, Auditorium ("From Minneapolis, Minnesota where they stayed overnight, flew to Chicago, Illinois and from there drove to South Bend, Indiana where they did a quick sound check at the theater, then on to the Royale Inn where they had day rooms to eat, shower and change clothes. Back to the theater to stage their show, after which everyone helped to break stage and pack in record time.... They drove back to Chicago, where they boarded a plane to New York, NY.") 19-25 Westchester, New York, Premiere Theater ("All shows went well, and WNBC TV came in to tape their performance of 'Top Of The world' which they aired later on the local TV news.... The weather was so good, they held baseball practice, then went to a nearby ice cream parlor, and indulged in gourmet banana splits. They soon discovered practice was sorely needed. Skiles, Henderson, Strawn & Woodham were so far, their best players. The rest of the group were rather out of shape. Gene, a hotel security guard, offered to get a team together to play against the Carpenters. WHAT friends they turned out to be: All giants, and all state champions: First up they really creamed the Carpenters with a 6-0 score. The group felt better by the second game when 'the giants' lost to them 14-10.") 29-31 Las Vegas, Nevada, Riviera Club (had been scheduled for June 12-25) June 1-11 Las Vegas, Nevada, Riviera Club (cont.) 6 Horizon released ("After months of taping 12-14 hours a day, the new album 'Horizon' is completed, and will be released world wide this month.") July 11-13 Toronto, Canada, O'Keefe Center ("In Toronto they did 5 shows in 3 days which left no time for sightseeing or shopping.") 14-15 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio ("Cubby turned another year older...so they bought him a birthday cake, then found he was on a diet and couldn't indulge! He exercised extreme will power.") 16-19 Independence, Michigan, Pine Knob ("In Pine Knob, Michigan they managed to spend some time with old buddy Wes Jacobs who was part of the Carpenter trio back in '65 and '66. Wes played bass with them when they won so many trophies in the Hollywood Bowl 'Battle of The Bands.' He still plays tuba with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra." There was a softball game "July 17th in Pine Knob"; "Of the six games played state-side, the Carpenters won all but one. They lost the first game to the Pine Knob all Stars 21-18.") 18 "Solitaire" released 20 Erie, Pennsylvania, County Field House 21-26 Wallingford, Connecticut, Oakdale ("Karen enjoyed a shopping spree with New Haven friends, patronizing some of the stores she remembered from her childhood days....In Hartford, Connecticut they were the victors [in a softball game, on July 22?] when they played Channel 3 TV celebrities. The score 20-2.") 27 Saratoga Springs, New York, Performing Arts 28-31 Warwick, Rhode Island, Music Theater ("The 105 degrees temperature climbed to 121 degrees on stage, and by the time the gig ended, they were all drenched in their own perspiration....Softball games were played [on July 29?]. Carpenters won the first game 15-13 in 9 innings against WPRO Radio celebrities Pro team. Determined to beat the Carpenters, Warwick fortified their team by adding former professional ball players, and challenged them to a second game which was played in 105 degree heat. At the end of the first inning, Carpenters had already scored 5-0. On Warwick's last up, with two outs, Richard went back into the outfield and made a lucky crazy catch which was a fluke, but resulted in another score for the Carpenters 19-11.") August 1-5 Warwick, Rhode Island, Music Theater (cont.) 4-9 Holmdel, New Jersey, Garden State Arts ("Garden State was also host for two softball games [on August 5?]. The first was played against Garden State newsmen, and celebrities from WNBC Radio and ABC TV including some or the Stars of 'All My Children.' That score was 18-8 in favor of the Carpenters. They accepted the challenge from another team for second game, winning by one point 13-12. This time they played the theater crew and local Sheriff's Deputies. All games were once again played for the benefit or the Cancer Society, and were acknowledged with letters, certificates or trophies. They were delighted with Newport, which Karen described as a 'cute' town.") 10-11 Columbia, Maryland 12-13 Chicago, Illinois, Ravinia ("After Chicago, they were to have six day breather before opening in Las Vegas, so, with the biggest part of the tour behind them, they boarded the jet for - happy flight home.") 21-31 Las Vegas, Nevada, The Riviera (In the October newsletter, Richard issued a statement about the "Neil Sedaka/Las Vegas affair" in which he was was fired as opening act, saying: "Please be assured that we DID NOT fire Neil Sedaka for doing too well. In fact we were delighted that he was receiving a nice response from the audience. It was a result of other circumstances of which he is totally aware that made it necessary for us to terminate his engagement.")  September 1-5 Las Vegas, Nevada, The Riviera (cont.)       In October, the Carpenters cancel their Japanese tour "due to Karen's illness....[She] has been prohibited by her physicians from all physical and professional activities" for the rest of the month. Richard and Terry Ellis (Karen's boyfriend) fly to Japan for "a press conference and business meeting with the Japanese promoters....[Carpenters] hope to return next Spring....We're all trying to get Karen well enough now for their European tour [in November and December]." A baseball game scheduled there is rained out. "Richard, supported by King Records personnel, planned to play against local DJs, but a downpour benched his good intentions."       Carpenters cancel their European tour as well "on doctor's advice" and "sever business connections" with their manager Sherwin Bash "on amicable terms." Richard and John Bettis fly to London to apologize to fans and promoters. Terry Ellis helps them plan their 1976 schedule.       In November they celebrate Richard's birthday and spend Thanksgiving at home, a first since the beginning of their career. Richard's stolen Lincoln Continental is recovered and Karen's weight is up to 104 pounds. The December newsletter explains that her weight loss is due to colitis, and that "there is no truth in the rumor that Karen is a victim of cancer.... Her collapse was inevitable after the rigorous schedule of the past summer months, and her willing spirit was eventually dominated by mother nature who compelled her to take a well deserved rest. Thank God she exudes her vivacious, happy personality once again."       Richard and Karen begin contemplating a Christmas album. But this year, "Karen, Richard, Mom and Dad, will be joined by their family from back east for the Holidays." Then the Carpenters are immediately back at it, with engagements at the Sahara in Tahoe from December 27 through January 14, 1976. (Parts of this article originally posted by the author elsewhere on the Internet.)       source:       Carpenters International Fan Club, Newsletters (1974-1976).